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Original poster

Trampolines

35 replies

Thebetterplace · 03/05/2019 18:52

So I'm thinking of buying a trampoline, can you guys please help me out, prod and cons? I can't see why not dh is a bit more reluctant? What's it like cleaning? Worth the faff?
Tia

OP posts:
endofacentury · 03/05/2019 18:55

We had one but after couple of years went rusty and squeaked every time dd jumped on it which made it unbearable to listen to! I wouldn't get one again

sleepismysuperpower1 · 03/05/2019 18:56

trampolines can be one of the more 'risky' kids toys- which may be why your dh is against it. we have one in the back garden and the kids absolutely love it, it's the main thing they play on in the summer (one at a time ofc!) to clean, i just get a brush and sweep off all the leaves/twigs etc.

BoneyBackJefferson · 03/05/2019 18:56

Cons
can be extremely dangerous even with all the netting etc.
you need a large garden otherwise the neighbours will complain (loss of privacy, noisy squealing kids)
needs to be secured to the ground (general movement, high winds etc. )
Pros
extremely good fun.

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Finfintytint · 03/05/2019 18:57

We had one. What age are your children? (Assuming it’s for them !). Older teens can get a bit reckless on them and they can annoy your neighbours with constant bouncing. Just brush leaves off it and jet wash occasionally.

FiremanKing · 03/05/2019 19:00

Place it where high bouncing kids can’t see into next door and piss the neighbours off.

Sink it into the ground would be a good idea.

Cherylshaw · 03/05/2019 19:01

We have a 10ft trampoline (didn't realise the size untill we built it!) It is great fun for the kids, had it a year no accidents so far. Helps them burn off energy. It does squeek now and then but i just go out and attack it with wd40 and problem solved.
Each time they go on we check it's all good and give the skirt part a good clean with a floor wipe. When leaves fall on it we just give it a brush.
Our garden would be so boring without it

drowningincustard · 03/05/2019 19:02

I didn't realise that so many people on mumsnet/general population really dislike them. Our kids love ours - always seem to be on it. If they are both in together they have to be calm and not bouncing much - seems to be like a 'den'/second house. If they want a good bounce then one at a time. Gets used loads to let off steam after school.
We just give it the odd brush, but then we aren't really precious so no going in with best outfit in case its wet, some muck/dust in there. The magpies seem to like the plastic on the pole covers so its starting to look a bit untidy but not too bad.

Original poster
Thebetterplace · 03/05/2019 19:11

Some really good advice thanks, it is for kids one is 7 and other is 3 yrs old. For me it's just for the kids to have fun in the garden, would take up the bottom half of the garden. My neighbours don't really come out in the garden anyway, so don't think that would be an issue.

OP posts:
OddBoots · 03/05/2019 19:18

I think they are brilliant exercise for children but they are also one of the biggest causes of serious accidents for them too. If I were to have one I would book my children into some proper trampolining classes to learn how to use them safely first. If I put a swimming pool in the garden I'd get swimming lessons for the children first too, it's the same principle.

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 03/05/2019 19:20

We’ve just got ours! DH will be preparing the ground for it this weekend hopefully.

It’s oval as we had to get one to fit a very specific space.

Looking forward to Dd and her pals enjoying it!

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 03/05/2019 19:20

Odd do you have a source for that assertion?

iknowimcoming · 03/05/2019 19:22

Can't remember what the department was called for the life of me but my friend used to work in the nhs dept where a&e visits involving children were passed on to social services to check up on. She said she'd never have a trampoline as they were the biggest proportion of accident reports that came in - it put me right off getting one. As pp said sinking them into the ground reduces the fall height and I think the bounciness slightly too.

Muddlingalongalone · 03/05/2019 19:23

I'm going round in circles on this. Really want one because my two love bouncing and dd1 is overweight so more activity would be good but terrified of accidents.
Have just got a guy starting to cut my my grass & he's gonna do a test dig to see if I can get an in ground one to reduce the risk. Is that an option for you OP?

Toodependants · 03/05/2019 19:24

We have an 8ft trampoline in a tiny garden. No ground prep, pegging down, sinking it, cleaning Hmm

Bought it when dd1 was 4, she is now 14 and dd2 is 9. Both use it ALOT. Have just replaced with a new one. Best kids 'thing' I ever bought. Is used loads, all year round. Burns off energy/good exercise. No neighbours have ever complained

TipseyTorvey · 03/05/2019 19:24

Ours is a lifesaver due to a very sloped steeped garden so it's the only full on exercise they can do. We have strict rules. No more than 3 at a time. No shoes. No toys other than bouncy balls and balloons. No daddies. That last one is the one I shout most out of the window.

PetraDelphiki · 03/05/2019 19:28

Even with an in ground one please get the netting, and one person at a time strictly enforced!

Nandocushion · 03/05/2019 19:33

We are getting one shortly too. We are in US though and I'm pretty sure I remember the home insurers asking us once if we have a trampoline! My DCs are a bit older and not too reckless so hopefully we won't have any injuries. I'm putting it on the side of the garden where the other families are.

namechanger0064 · 03/05/2019 19:36

I'd echo it was the best thing we've ever bought. It's the only "toy" that has had longevity. My 23 yr old still comes over to jump on it! Seriously worth the money!

Original poster
Thebetterplace · 03/05/2019 19:48

OK so your all really selling it! I know it's a cause of accidents but we have spoken and I have said kids would have to be supervised, which is easy upon us. Means kids get out in the garden. For those that have out it on grass, does the grass under still grow? Silly question I am aware, but as we have no artificial lawn, would have to move it around to mow under it?

OP posts:
Toodependants · 03/05/2019 20:06

Grass wouldn't grow under mine, so I moved it round to let grass grow evenly...for 10 years. Just laid fake grass! 🤣

reefedsail · 03/05/2019 20:15

Get a really good one. One with the springs on the outside if you can afford it, and a rock solid net.

We have a 15 x 9 ft- I can recommend the oval shape. We've never cleaned it and it seems fine. The grass doesn't grow under it though- we've just sacrificed that bit of lawn.

It's by far the most used toy we have. DS and his friends play a round of Fortnite that game which shall not be mentioned, and then go out to the tramp to plan their next set of tactics. I'm very glad they have somewhere to go to let off the steam and get some exercise between staring/ thumb-waggling sessions.

Cherylshaw · 03/05/2019 20:18

The grass does still grow under ours but it is discoloured where the bars are on the grass iykwim.
IV attached a picture of ours it is high up but totally protected with netting an foam and a skirt around the springs. My 4 year old plays on it constantly and hadn't had an accident yet.
Please ignore the messy garden!

Trampolines
Cherylshaw · 03/05/2019 20:19

I ment to say we never pegged it or anything but we do secure it to the fences and trees when it's going to be a windy night

Parttimewasteoftime · 03/05/2019 20:24

Sorry OP got a 10ft one for my DS7 birthday he's nearly ten now best thing we ever brought! Got two DS they on it everyday love it have a net level area great energy zapper. Only two at a time they even make dens on it or play tablets 😲

BitOfFun · 03/05/2019 20:26

WeepingWillow, there are statistics from RoSPA quoted in this DM article.

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